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ENTICE', 



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Y IKWieiHT. 



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IVDIAN AI'OIIS : W'/'('» 

Diamond Book and Job Office Print, ' 

1880. 





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V o 



THE PRENTICE. 



THE BUSY KNIGHT. 



(iiicL 






1XDIAN,AP()I-1S : 

Piamond Book and Job Office Pfint. 

1880. 



ir. 






Copy Right Secured, 
By the AUTHOR. 



PREFACE OF THE PRENTICE. 

'I'lir mi)ti\('s iIimI jihIiiit inch l<> wriU- ;iic ;is llic I'lich.'iiitin^ 
:iicli('(l liiils »>r s|>l«'ii(l«M- .ill" r ilic idVcsliiiio' sliowcr — not 
easily iIcCiikmI, 

Oil Rain Uow, llioii majcslic arch, 
nciiralli lix'call tiiaiiUiiHl iiiiist iiiarclil 

One measured step of moral Woilh, 
( >i' liliiiidei- lliroti!;')) a shM'ile earth. 

1 II teiliiiij; I fiilh, or (laniiiii!^ rent, 
Kvolvini;' llioiii^hls may liiid some veiil. 

No areliei's how I he arrow sent, 
I'litil Ihe ready how washent. 

ir I hiive saM anylhiiii;- thai may add kivow iedoc, and <;ive 
soiiH" |)leasiut' lo manUiiid. it is well. 

A UTHOK. 
AL,v 21. iSSo. 



In(fViiKrtii>n to ih,- Pirn tit. 



INTljUiJUCIlON TO THE I'flFNIICE, 



IlisKtiy h M (IciinHHli.iK'd ili.ililii- rrcnlirr isihr iMiyid'.-id- 
v.'iiiriii;^ iiii|nils('s. I>iii mI)(»\<' .-ill oiImt lorrcs, is liis inliciciii 
iMoli\r |»(>\\rr, or his si crliiii; iiidiist ry, w liidi is I he s| lon;^ 

rnlcriMll nil W hit'll llic |r\r|' of ( |<- \ r |< i| » iici 1 1 :il|i| :H I \ M I !('<■ MM- 1 1 1 

dors icsl. 

1 1 is iiidiisliy, "Senilis, mid KhMdy, iiiiliriii;^ |);il iriicr lli.il 
iii.-ikrs llirm hilly iiohlc nnii affoni|il i>lM'd iiicili;iiii( >.. 

rii»' iinlolciif, i;i/,y, iiiiUH'lliodlr, jisllcss Uoy cv.-idrs (In- 
jiiivil, lor^^f, I rowrl. pliiiii, awl. Iiiiiinicr, l:il lie, Ijiiir, loom, 
Hl('(l;r(.^ spiiidli', " ;i;oos('," saw, s(|iiaic, di\iil<'i\ |diiiiil), lap- 
stone, (lyr-Uclllc, tyjK', siiokaiid pirss. 

II iTcpiircH a hoy <>f" si)lid worth, and siroii«;' Ioiim' o| iii.ni- 
liood, with iii-^piriiif^ aiidiitioii to Imtoihc a iiiaslci- tiit'chanic. 
liOok at ^H'at Anj^ido, ihf ini^lit\ Ifoiiiaii artist and artisan, 
who (I('sio;iM'd tin- cathcdial «»l' St. I'ctti's, whose fann- now 
is hryond any Stalcsinan, (iriinal, (n' I'vrii I'ope, that li\fd 
in his day. .\s an artist he h.nl hnl one peer, and that was 
Lj'onaro ila'X' liici. 

An;;('lo would flll, Ids iihistcr pircc^ oill of t he inaihlr IdocU 
with his ^^\\\\ hands, witJMXil a < l;iy iiiodrl, and chip th<- niar- 
hh' so fast that it ropiircd sonic I)iik.\ h;inil.> to carry tiicin 
away as last as they Icll IVoni the hlock. 

He w.is a h!i-;\ l»oy and iintiriii;;' woikiii;^ nnn nnlil he \\;is 
\cry old, then met death at W(»rl\. Il<' was no heller hoy 
than our .\nie'rican hoys who sire as virtnons, as sol»er, as 
t hot! ;^hl fill, Mild as indnsi lions .IS lie. 



6 hht7oduciton tg the Prentice. 

The Prentice Ix'CHUie tlie ^reut muster of hi.s age, itiid suc- 
eeed i wg ee n t uri es . 

AinericH, 1ms alre-id}' given the world some of the brightest 
minds, who served their time as an apprentice, who grew and 
became the masters of the present age..- Franklin, and hun- 
dreds stun<l front to front in history, the admiration of wisdom, 
s,kill, and purity. 

It is the prentice that designed, the prehtiee that cut the 
gtoue, hij'cd the stone and briek. Tlie trowel and hammer 
hardeneil the hand that gives proiwrtion and beautj^ ancl 
positive symmetry to the rising ui-onnment of skill. 

Art and mechanism, is as adivin^ inspiration, which par- 
takes of all that is sublime in the universe of beanty, strength, 
ailaptation, and necessity. IJnt in our times the puliiug 
k>comotiv^e leeps over all the past ajjes, in its dashing splendor. 
It eclipses all the mechanism that human genius has devel- 
oped under the eye of its builder, who a few years ago, was 
the prentice in the same shop. 

Freedom of mind, is unlimited development,. See the loco- 
motive, the modern triumph of genious, and the product of 
the prentice-boy, as it draws the whirling train over the 
craggy monnt'iins, and leeps through the valleys as the fright- 
ened deer, aud flies. over the plains that rvials the gohlen pin- 
ioned birds of the air, and sweeps through the darkness of the 
night over the outstretched prairie of this continent, as a 
comet just emitted fiom the sun. 

Tlie prentice must have lofty aspiration and unlimited am- 
bition, who propose to build an engine, or such a grand mon- 
ument of architectural skill and labor as the capitol of Wash- 
ington and Si)iing}ield. , 



Introduction to the Pirnthy. 7 

It ('alls iutoj-tMiiusilion tlir liiii-lit-st order of tah'iil, hii.ad in 
(MHiccptioii, and dc('[) in roinprt'luMision. 

The arcliiftnt nuist niea.siire the, stren^tli of every fibre of 
wood and iron that carries \vei.i>;lit, and deterniine llieir 
CJfpaeity and tenaeity. 

Ill' must wi'ig-li the n)ei<s lo h'ani tlicii- structure, and for- 
uiation as to tlie amount of weight lliey can l)ear, anil deter- 
mine ilu'ir (hiral)ility . 

He must understand thet'arth where the foundation is to he 
hud, as to the ^-eohjjry, if sand or roek, to deternnne what the 
fouiKhition must be to carry the weight of the superstructure. 

He must he artistic, and skiUed to adoi-n, as to beauty, 
!*tyle, and symmetry. 

He niust discriminate as to f'<iiii. sha]te, sti-ength, and 
utility. 

What a scope of knowledu^e and .-(df- reliance it re(|uircs t^) 
s[nin the great rivers, whose ever turbulent waters ;ii"e dasji- 
i-ng against its granite foundation V 

\Vhat a proud nuunent wlien the master of such a bridge as 
tiie St. Louis can majestically stei) upon tiie tinishetl structure, 
and beckon the engineer X.o. roll his mighty engine and his 
freighted train to cross in perfect conti(hMice. 

The boy who aspiies to build a tloat-ing i)alace that sliall 
jdow tlie Atlantic and Pacific, mUst have inlieient greatness 
in ins organization, and if he retains his moral intuition, and 
shujis vice wherever it may lurk, he shall i-e.ili/.e his highest 
hope. 

'JMiere is no kind of mechanism but what has its chaims. 
from the gaiter that adoin the lady's foot to evvry gnrnhuit 



8 Introduction to ihe Frentice . 

tlmt ennobles tlie human form, and maUe,«j intellio-ence bon in 
admii'ation. 

But how many of the briolitest prentice.- have fallen bj^ the 
way-side ihroujih the social enp. and ludd the hot blistering- 
bowl to theii- lips until habit distroyed the brightest minds 
that God ever gave unto man. 

My kind reasoner did you ever stop to think of tlie ])i-entiee 
v\ ho built the telescope that let man pee]) through unmeas- 
ured space and there obseive revolving planets aixl learn their 
magnitude and purposed 

Did you ever reflect that science was dumb until the 
mechanic prepared instruments of mechanism that angels 
must admire'? 

Did you ever realize that Caesar never u oi'e a watch be- 
cause there was no mechanic to construct one in his great 
and boundless emp're? 

Do you know it is advancing mechanism that is liberalizing 
mankind and bringing them togetlierin thought and i)urpose, 
undcr"]lhe Star of Bethlehem. 

Young man put your attention to some department of art, 
it is an inexhaustible tick! of usefulness, profit, pleasure and 
honoi-. 'I'hen let yonr moi^ils l)e as lofty as your calling, and 
time will crown you and eternity bless j'on. 

The intelligent and moral mechanic leads the innumei'able 
van of lofty spirits. The Statesman, Philosopher, and 
Scientist, all must bow; in greatful acknow ledgment to tlif^ 

MASTER MECHANIC. 



Ptrliuic to the Pi cm ice. 



^mi TO THE Pf([NTlCE. 



Each Couplet one Link, 



Sweet ri-«'eil()iij, i^ift beyond all einisi-iuus priee, 
May eiill tlie i>eiiis of purity t'loni Nice. 

Fools plant their roses on a barren leij^e. 
And seek the lily 'nionii- the thorny liedg-e. 

Men plant their li'olden corn in fertile hills, 
Tlien well tille<l cribs shall hear the bn>y mills. 

^Vhlls^ sweat from drii)piii_<jj brow the brown cheeks mark, 
'The eaidy mea(h)W feeils the singinii" lark. 

'Tis not the ripened corn, nor «iathered slieaf, 
'lliat chano-es habits in the listless thief. 

Excite not passion, reason comes too late 

■Jo break the links, when changed to tortured fate. 

]Men damn small brooks, and pebbled bottomed rill.-. 
To (lucnch the cattle's thiist amonii" the hills. 

Who stopped the breakinicrlond or damned its How, 
^Vhose habit has bet-n slopped when let to <>-ro\\ ? 

Xia.^ara's How ne'er stopped to save a man 
\Vhilsr balanced on its fall, nor never ean. 

The rarest luid on injnretl twig ean';, l)Ioom — 
rnbroken twii;s produce the rare perfume. 

(2) 



lo Prologue to the Prentice. 

One blasted rye is poison to the tiovver; 
One second's vice destroys the h:ippy hour. 

How smooth the narrow wny of Jite can be, 
Whilst vice ;is storm makes rono-h the calmest sea* 



PROLOGUE. 

The sterile desert sands the zephyi's shift, 

But rushing winds in clouds to mountains shift. 

Those gritty sands — disintegi'ated rock, 
Are attorns transient as the tick o'clock. 

Each tick of time has crumbled off a grain — 
If dropped in ocean, made the barren plain. 

The rocks on-^ed crowned the highest mountain tops, 
Dissolved by frost, and changing tlakes to drops. 

The brightness of the sun, and dashing storm, 
Unite in crumbling rocks and deserts fo'm. 

Grand gold and silver, shafts from c-raggy height, 
Are hid in desert's deep eternal night. 

And gems that sparkle as the polar frost, 
The sands have buried and the mountains lost. 

Dim beauty written on the bi-ow of time. 
How often changed 'till it became sublime? 

Dum nature may adorn the humblest living thing 
With silver beak and golden penioned wing. 



The Prentice. 

Whilsr tr.-iiiftfonn:ition tills deserted seas, 
The clover beckons to the liiin«»ry bees. 

For inoments are but clucks of rushing time, 
And changing echo into perfect rhyme. 

The mountains, oceans. vall(\vs, rocks and hills, 
Xiagara's tlow, lakes and l)ubbling rills — 

And planets in theii" distant oi'bit.s changt-d, 
Emitting comits harmonious arranged : 

All demonstrate one grand and onward coiasf — 
One truth — that God is the eternal /?;-<-,?. 



FIRST STEP, 



THE PRENTICE'S FIRST STEP OX THE BROAD ROAD 
OF VICE. 
The solemn vvwrd, amen, had been pronounced. 
Anil Dilffrom b(Mided knee* had quickly bounced. 

Then tread a slow and noisless, sneaking step. 
And slily went ui> stairs to where he slept. 

When all the house was in u quiet doze 
'J'he Prentice boy in silent stelth arose. 

Then through the window on the roof he creeps, 
But stops to hear the snoring Boss, who sleeps. 

Behind a purple cloud the moon then hid; 
That suited Dill", and down the roof he slid. 



12 The Prentice. 

But wlioii lu' laiuhMl on the troildeii ground, 
Di?5inuye(l he learnetl his bfeeclies were unsound. 

Oil pin ! tliou ready stitcli, no .v pltiy lliy part; 
With full l.-ipel. he stielied in highest art. 

As old nocturnrd slrix. we eall the owl, 

The Prentiee stai-ted on his first night prowl. 

lie heard the old time cloek Just sti-iking ten. 
And ehilly pigs were squealing in their pen. 

The creaking gate unlat''hed and (luiekly shut, 
Then down the street the prowling prentice put. 

And soon he found a wily boy or two 

Who knew pi-eeisely what the thr<'e should do. 

Fadell suggested doltish serenade — 

" Prime fun to lavish on a kitchen maid." 

The three agreed, and. hurri^'dly they ran 
In boyish glee to execute their plan. 

The hons(» and kitchen window soon wasf<jund, 

And three then belched their doltish mid-night sound. 

The pretty girl had honor to detend, 

And did it w(dl, for Thomas was her friend. 

" To sleep, perchance to dream: aye there's the rub.'" 
But waked the ghost of sleeping Beelzebub. 

Down came a squalling cat on Dili's coiiUxmI liead 
And how the fellow squeeled and crimson bled, 
From head and face, exuding trom the nose, 
With tears commingled, down the crimson Hows. 



J' he /'>,'nn,\\ 13 

Some little pistol ;it the wimlow c-nicks: 
P('ili;ii>s ill ;i!lcy niiid they left tln'ii" ir;icks. 

The (iiicslioirs <ril] iiii.-iiiswcfcd. w licrc In- s:;i\c(l 
'rii.ir iii^ht lie liavc old Follic's scrcii.-idc. 

Till' tender tliistlc, trcjid upon lliiif iiiiihr, 
M:iy i:,ro\v jiiid blossom ton tlioniy lii^iht. 

His lioss next inoniiiii;' Mnxioiisly ciKiiiii cil : 
All expl:iii:iti(»ii of the youth dcsiicd. 

His brow w;is scnritied, with swolcii Incc, 
As Imiitci-s .'ifter some n'ro.-it forest cIimsc. 

A rini^iblebec couvciitioii, there's 110 doubt. 
When t.'int.'dized mi<jclit brinii: the s.-ime ;d)oiit . 

The I'reiitiee seemed ;i little more thnn >h\-. 
l'erli;i])s ;ippe;ir;iii( c indie;ited why. 

NVheii fortified with eoiiijiii-e, snioolldy siiid: 
"Our M.iltese Thom:is juniiiped upon my b<'d, 
'•Then boum-ed upon my fnee as if ;i rat 
Was runninj^down my tliioat to beat the <'at. 
" I o-ral)l)ed him by bis i)lume, so easy l)ent. 
And throuiiii th<' hoiste(l w indow 'J'homas sent." 

His explanation certainly deeieved. 

' Twas ready wit at onee tlie l»oy rtdieved. 

His nature soon rejjaired the havoe made. 
And scrateliino for anoilier serenade. 

NVbeii sport's (.omminulinn" innoeeii({^ with sin, 
A las I how soon siiall eriiiie lu'eome its kin. 



14 The Pt entice. 

INTERLUDE— The Preniice's remarks to the boys 

WHO WERE NOT WITH HIM. 

" A well trained cat's a weapon 1)038 should heed; 
A four clawed '^ww, the ritle maidens need. 

" Their cat-twine way of shooting down must hit, 
A livinii; cat-ridg-e is domestic kit. 

*' I never loved a cat, I should reniai-k, 
Nor Aoah had no cat-rida'c in his ark/' 



STEP SECOMi. 

THE PRENTICE'S SECOND STEP A LIQCIFYING BUM. 

Success in anything, if ilglit or wrong, 
Confirms tlie weak, encouraging the strong. 

The slightest act of vice, as thistle seed. 
Of rapid growth, but most obnoxious weed. 

All vicious innovatiitu virtue shuns — 
Vice, as the sands, accumulates to tons. 

The tender conscience guard with moral care, 
For deadly poison lurks in fragrant air. 

The fearless boy at vice distinctly winks, 
Uncounscious too, his reditu le now sinks. 

Perchance the boy's preparing for a rade, 

Or bacchanal tlespoillng serenade. 

The hall door key he pockets, but who cares? 

He'll venture down to-night the winding stairs. 



\ 



The rnnlice. 

Tlie clock w.'is strikini:; ten upon tli<* slicll". 
Just then lio stepped upon tli-- sti-eet liiniscH". 

He met :it Bourbon Arsenal fellow sports, 
From Muvil bench to lawyei's and the couits — 

And many tellow on a li(]uid bum, 
p]xplodini>; oalh as powder does a bondi. 

They di-ank of ])otion dee]) at every lound. 
From snaps oenteel <leco(tion to com})ound. 

Tlie ''Golden Wedding" whisky seemed ihelr prido, 
Eiichoring llowing glass on ebbing tide. 

"Old Crow" was next in order, foi theii* i)aise 
Chagrined remarked, ■'Old ("row Jiad sli-onger days." 

llonongahela, once the Keystone's rye, 
The politician di'ank whenever dry . 

"How man}' politicians won their fam<'. 
Through old monongahel.i's litpnd nameV" 

■'Hut Iiourb(»n stands the change of time the best, 
Tuas drank by Statesmen, ( iergy and th<'ir guests." 

" And intioduced when elo([Uence had i)ow('r, 

A speach of l)Ui'ning thoughts re<|uir-ed but an hour." 

*'I5ut every word ihey spoke was nu)i-al triuh — 
When old men talked, how silent were the youth." 

'*.\ow let us take a drink of 'Obi Jim ("low,' 
These palid concentrated days of woe.'' 

''Sim thoui^ht champagne a potion >o gentind, 
Judge Palm remaiked my (piailhig's gr»*en in seal." 



15 



1 6 The P) entice. 

'J"he crowd wa.s liquified by twelve in style, 
And Lord's day morn tliey even did defile. 

Tlie Prentice boy enrhored to every call, 
Until he reached the altitude to I'all. 

At one o'clock the chief dispenser left, 

And then they felt themselves almost beieft. 

At two tlie clerk closed doors, and drove them out. 
Amid an incoherent deafenin,;;- shout. 

Some found their way to their abode alone, 
A few there were who had an arm to loan. 

JIow Dift" returned no one pretends to tell, 
The last they seen of him was when lie fell. 

Next day they found him on the stable floor, 
.And saturated in his venous gore. 

"A sicker boy" the doctor ne'er had seen, 
His pain excrutiating, deep, and keen. 

Developed inflammation of the lungs. 
Perchance induced hy singing vulgar songs. 

'J'he strong determined youth was palid dead. 
But friendship guaided W( 11 the sick boy's bed. 

For over him a weeping father bent — 
To God a mother her petition sent. 

In silence pass the sister's ebbing sol). 

No other heart than hers liad such a throb. 

Kind neighbors came to see and symi)athize, 
Those mortal Pangs thouiih none could realize. 



The Pi-entie. \^ 



Whilst iiKcniiii;: t'n»in the sharp phnnitic pain. 
His mind was lost ami comatose his brain. 

'i'he secoml day perception was regained. 
But reason to halhiciiiation chained. 

The fetters of delirium though broke. 

And mental force regained its throne, he spoke. 

His first distinct articulated word 

Was mother, whose soft whispering she heard. 

But when he realized himself again. 
He called his little weeping sister. Jane. 

And whtMi she stood beside his dying bed. 
He in a low and heaving whisper said: 

'• A Clergy I would like so much to see. 
You tell dear Ma to send for Mr. Cree." 

The man of God soon stood beside the boy, 
Wi^h :dl his p.iin he demonstrated joy. 

All joine«> in prayer, and invoking UoJ 
That he may now remove the chasting rod. 

And soon to health thn suffering bo}' restore. 
But still continued asking something more. 



THE CLERGY'S PRAYER. 

•Oh I Lord, those who have caused this abrupt fall, 
And plunged him in this sea of seething gall. 

Remember with Thy watchful, special care, 
In mercv this affliction mav thev share. 



1 8 The P) entice. 

Remember those who sold, and with him drank; 
Impress what depth they have already sank. 

'J'heir eyes Thou open, and unlock each heart. 
That they may feel befoi-e he must depart, 

His sting of death their sting revivified, 
His agony their torment multiplied. 

His loss, their loss, with condemnation's dart 
Yet penetrating deeper in their heart. 

They feel what he now feels before they die. 
They learn what he hath learned when death draws nigh. 
Thou touch their heart as his is touched near death. 
That they may know Thee in their dying breath. 

And let them feel a father's panting soul, 

Who drinks the dregs when others fill the bowl. 

Give them to feel a mother's tender care, 
When fainting by a child in det p despair. 

Cause them to comprehend the sting of woe, 
The innocent oft' reap, the vicious sow. 

And learn on earth redemption and its price, 
Deliver them from rabblement and vice." 



CONCLUSION, 



He rallied soon with impulse of relief, 
Renewing hope, and so dispelling grief. 

Desires new sprung up within his mind. 



Tht Pf entice. 19 



III weeks of watchfulness he c'Oiivale.«se(l 
Amid condoling tVicnds whom Heaven blest. 

Through Christian faith the boy was purified, 
Wliose moral nature changed as verified. 

Mis change as positive in its reform, 
As sky just cleared, electrified by storm. 

Ilis soul expanded, and his mind grew strong, 
And lost the art of vice and doing wrong. 

He shunned all evil, and discouraged strife, 
And practical in every step of life. 

Approaching that true moral nature, man. 
Divinity doth mold on reasons plan. 

Those graces, charity and love supreme, 
His daily practice and his midnight dream. 



STEP THiRB. 

IN HIS THIRD STEP BECAME THE BUSY KNIGHT. 

Grand decade of events; what varied screens 
Were shifted on " life's stage" as vivid scenes. 

^rime moved as rapid as a swolen stream 
Within a mountain gorge, where cascades teem. 

The Prentice proved to be a man of grit. 
With moral culture and some classic wit. 

As Sabbath School director none his peer. 
Profound in thought, as in his person dear. 



20 The Pfrntice'. 

Wit!) bus3" fingers and a mind to read, 
His large constructive powers had to leacL 

As artisan a master of his nge, 
Demeanor equal to a Roman Sage. 

His toilsome hours, the seconds of delight, 
Who earned the title of the " Busy Knight y 

Hisaspinitions ever moving high, 

Whose fount of wit no draught did ever (h\y. 

But when the Blue were marching on the Grey, 
And winds were wafting the perfumes of May, 

A good old man was beating freedom's drum, 
And many noble men were yelling come. 

And drums were beating to old grandpa's fife, 
When tented fields were busy hives of life. 

And all the people wondered why is this, 
That bitter winds are blowing peace to kiss? 

The storm advanced in ominious degrees, 
And war songs floated on the eager breeze. 

Whilst hearts and pulses beat unconscious high. 
And thousands of the nation asking why; 

He dropped his apron and his stitching awl 
To answer to his countrj^'s urgent call, 

And served it well 'till triumph told the world 
That every banner bared in peace was furled. 

Undaunted soldier with his pretty bars, 
Undaunted hero with his shining stars. 



STEP FOURTH. 

THE PR hW TIC 'E A S PR I \ 'A TE-SOLD lER- HER O— A XD 
IirS BRIDE. 

Till' iiiirlitf.-ill canii', ileep darkiicj^s veiled the place 
When he returned to wed aeoonii)lished Graee. 

'I'he torcli and tires lit the woodland l*aik, 
Kmittinir liiiht far through the (li>tant dark. 

Beneath triumphant areh saluting throng, 
Ke.souuding voiees many thousand strong — 

The open throats of "annons :ind of hells 
'Midst greeting niu>ie and rejoieing yells — 

That evening's perfumed hreath the echo carried, 
Our Prentice, Hero, Fiiend sliall now be married. 

The open corrido- and parlors lighted, 

As though some mighty hero should be knighted. 

Invited guests weic waiting for the one 
Whose deeds a people's admiration won. 

The waiting bride in calmness met the chief, 
Who soon appeared which gave the throng relief. 

Amid the rustling silks of jeweled maids, 
An<l retinue of gallant veteran aids. 

That brave, bronzed hero by his bride of teens, 
IIow grand and solemn were those wedding scenes I 

In unifoi-m with sword, both stars a sheen. 
The I*i-entice stood a master in demean. 



22 The P: entice. 

No twain were ever luippier than tliey — 
Xo gold clnst ostentation or displaj'. 

Their cnp was brim with coiu'entrat<;d worth, 
Confirmed by angels and endorsed on earth. 

'J'he bride who breathed the zepliyrs of perfume, 
Adored and loved her noble soldier gToom. 

Sweet love's hot kiss yet warm upon her lip 
As June's unwelcome frost hope's pleasure nip. 

The sparkling glass burned on his lips the liight 
When love was flaming on the altar bright. 

Unquenched that burning thirst and hot desire, 
Which tortured flame as subterraneous tiie. 

When once ignited, melts tlie soul. we cherish, 
Consuming all aftection till we perish. 

Then drifts the ashf^s of deputed worth. 
As sands upon the desert in their dii-th. 

Unsought, unloved, perchance, until the grave 
Relieves the spirit to embrace a slave. 

Unconquered bowl, hope's foe to cherished dreams 
That curtains life from its orion beams. 

He fought as heroes can, to break the charm, 
And prayed to God the cruel foe disarm. 

The bride with arms about the hero's neck. 
Appealed as wife with wom.m's ardent reck. 

Unsoothed by her affection's warmest kiss, 
But fall he must in dark despair's abiss. 



The Prentice . 23 

The victim of insidious rciiiord, 
Wliosc li:il)it ;uh1 liis soul diil not .iccord. 
Unclu'ckcd. the (iiiiiHin<^ bowl, its woe must biin.2:. 
Uncoiled the adder makes its fatal stinj^. 

On ceilinu:, wall, and bed he could behold. 
Approaching dark tleformities unfold. 

Then shriek liis anguish on a frighted key, 
That echoed as if from eternity. 

Then howl as beasts of prey about their den, 
That melted hearts of brave heroic men. 

Then jumpped from bed U[)on the velvet floor, 
And screamed as never man had screamed before. 

Angelic bride unsparing in her care, 

Through all those sleepless niglits the wife was there. 

Unyielding foe destroyed a busy brain, 
And left the hero broken and insane. 

Now locked within a gloomy iron cell, 
A wreck within the c<jrrider of hell. 

The grave for those, the living dead, not vaulted, 
AVhere life's stragetic toe has thousands haulted. 



Final Retrospect 

Go back and see what folly tirst did breed, 
And those who stooped, remember their first deed, 
Remember back and fe(d what scars of vice, 
Remaining s|)ots on folly's long cast <lice. 



24 The Prcniice. 

Go buck in thought aud study well tlie yenrs 
Since first your smiles disolyed in heated tears. 

Go back through gloomy labyrinths of ages, 
Recount the blood-stained witli the brighter pages. 

Or read the I'yramidsand fallen towers, 
'J'he folly of their ages. Are they ours? 

The wind, the dew, and rainbow's tinted arch 
Is but the tread of time upon the march. 

Go slow or fast, we'll find some cm-ved stone stand. 
How tenderly we'll touch with friendly haiul. 

Or shrink as if a ghost their stood agaze, 
Each eye a torch to set the soul abhize. 

Or find a cherished name upon some stone, 
Among the graves that yet may stand alone. 

Go back and read the stones of your Sires, 
Until 3"0ur soul and all that's nature tires. 

Then study deep their acts, and motive powers, 
Their i)urpose then, of life, and busy hours. 

And learn their habits. Was he king or thief. 
Or martyr seeking faggots of reliefs 

Go back and see the budding girlhood bloom, 
And see debauching man her beauty doom. 

Oh ! see the snares in poverty and wealth, 
And how decoyed with power and in stelth. 

See virtue tortured worse than faggots heat. 
When welcome death the doomed so often greet 



The rveniice. 

She led by glitter, or by foice jit first. 

Ye! Statesmen tell, whi<'h of these criines, the vv<m- 

Ami when you've jx.itheretl all th:it wisdom can. 
Return and le.irn \\ hat is W\{i present man. 

The dust now drifting through the fjelful air, 
Unseen perehanee were blushts of the fair. 

The dew drops on the clover and the weed, 
May be the te:irs of love or pinching need. 

The powder on the lady's furrowt^d face 
May be the ashes from a mummy's vat^e. 

The silk that robes the perfect form in style, 
The worm luith gathered from some funeral pile. 

The lover's ring on fingeis of the queens. 
In graves were h'd a thous.in I decade's teens- 

We live to die; yet die to live, we must. 

So whilst we live guard well that sacred trust. 

Look back and see your folly, and then turn 
And studv wisdom from the clav-formeil ikn. 



25 



— -o^-^XSC Finis. 



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